What is the role of the artist? In this post I am going to explore the role artists have played in society, in the past and the one they play now. In large part, this post will not tell a complete story as I am focusing on the Western artists in only two periods of history. Artists are certainly individuals and though there have been restraining conventions established, time and time again art has evolved beyond them. One who studies art refers to these ‘conventions’ as eras, in which certain criteria was met by the works excepted by the artistic community. Interestingly, the most famous artists are those that pushed the boundaries established by the current conventions, whatever they may have been at the time. So, it is quite difficult to put a specific title to the activity all artists engage in, as they themselves evolve as part of their own doing. One thing that seems to be consistent for artists is their tendency to look to the world around them and reproduce it in their own way and then show the world a different perspective of a part of itself, whether it be realistic or imaginative. Throughout time the focus of what is captured by artists work has changed, in fact it is a path that my entire blog thus far only touches upon. This path is not only dictated by the artists themselves, but by the progress of humanity.
As time goes on there is a noticeable trend of growing acceptance and progressive attitudes, across the world. With the rise of the middle class, artists have become more free to pursue what they wish and not depend on the wealthy nor religious establishment as patrons to dictate what they create. This has been a slow evolution and it has taken quite some time to reach this state. Artists though perhaps still employed by others are more free than ever before. Five hundred years ago however, things were much different, at least as far as western art is concerned, rulers and religious groups were the only means by which an artist could turn a profit and sustain themselves. Five hundred years ago was the middle of the Renaissance a period that served as the beginning of the transition, where artists began to branch away from Kings and the church.
Above is a portrait of Henry the VIII of England, this is a perfect example of the purpose of visual arts during the Early Renaissance ( I realize it was painted toward the end of the renaissance). As the renaissance progressed art spread to those of less wealth, largely due to the growth of the middle class. This shift allowed artists greater freedom in their works as their patrons grew more numerous and their interest groups became broader. This trend has continued today and the range of subject matter has broadened enormously.
As for the music during the Renaissance, another medium of art that speaks to status of art, the content was rather bland and was not very diverse. Music until the Renaissance had been only for the wealthy and the churches as well, and featured little variety. The Diffusa Est Gratia by Italian composer Giovanni Nanini (16th Century) is it is a Motet, a choral composition that would only be heard in a church during mass. This is only a taste of the music of the renaissance. Due to their being few instruments at the time a chorus was an excellent way to produce music. In the next centuries, advances in music were numerous and many new instruments were constructed, which has led to today where music has become a broad term. In the exact same way that the visual arts have variety in both styles and content, music does to, to a great extent.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare (1605)
Theater was another medium of art that departed the clutches of aristocrats and religious bodies during the Renaissance. The most famous playwright of that time is Shakespeare, though his career stretched into the baroque period. He, though not the first, was the most famous playwright to began creating works for everyone. He may have been outcasted by the church for his work, but that did not stop him nor diminish his reputation. The play above is one of many written by him that did appeal to the masses, rather than serve as a praise to a religious group or single ruler.
Today the world, is a much bigger place. As mentioned previously artistic pursuits by professional and other artists are broad. This has created such variety, and it is a reflection of the acceptance of other cultures world wide, and the progress the world has made. The world is much richer now in creativity than it was, even during the renaissance. This greater body of artists today serve themselves probably more than ever before, but they continue to reflect society around them.
The sculpture above reflects the freedom artists have today. Jean Shin, a contemporary modern artist creates her pieces from every day objects, in Sound Waves that means records. This is creative and yet a play on words as sound waves do not resemble a crashing wave of the ocean as symbolized above, there are too many examples like the above to share. As you have likely seen, art has no imposed boundaries anymore.
Scary Monsters and nice Sprites by Skrillex (2010)
As for music, it knows no bounds either. The piece above, I chose because it is the polar opposite of the Motet I included earlier. It has left the human voice behind and instrumental sounds as well, this music is created by electronic devices. This departure has only broadened the range of music there is. Skrillex is not exactly my cup of tea, but he is a successful musician and his work is enjoyed, so it must reflect his fans wants and needs. This is a good example of what an interest group can influence what is popular and continued (he still, makes music).
Star Wars The Force Awakens directed by J.J. Abrams (2015)
Film, theatre has now transcended the stage and is recorded, not in all cases, but to a great extent. Film has become perhaps the most popular form of entertainment in westernized cultures. With a variety of genres film not only features actors, but athletes and animations too. It is a very developed and organized form of art. Star Wars The Force Awakens is an example of film today, but it is only a sample of whats out there. I chose this film because it is a story that relates to adventure tales that have been apart of human story telling for thousands of years, but it is updated to interest us. So underneath, the message artists send society through their works change, but not too fast nor too much; but the message must be tailored to match viewer interest or the artist is forgotten along with their work.
The freedom of artists today allows them a broader range of career opportunities and with that more roles in society. Largely they capture a part of the world around them in some medium that can be shown right back to the world. This serves as a mirror being held up to society, a piece can be interpreted by viewers as they please sometimes with many perspectives and sometimes only a few, it is the choice of the artist. Although the artists can create what they like they must have an interest group, or their work will not be remembered for long; however with the 8 billion people alive today, their are plenty of interests to appeal to. Throughout the last few hundred years the role of the artist has evolved and broadened, once limited by the interest of the powerful, artists are now free to pursue their own interests and send their own messages.
Sources:
Aesthetic Appreciation 